Pushing Back Darkness

This post is written by Deborah Lange. A 20 year old missionary living in Sierra Leone, Africa.

In all our efforts, support, and work in missions I want to remind everyone that our biggest challenge and struggle is not fighting AIDS, and it’s not illiteracy, and it’s not even poverty. Our biggest struggle; our battle is against the spiritual forces of darkness. This is not a ‘force’ like the famed Star wars movies forces, with white robes and light sabers.

This is a real war. In the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12-13 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

I saw this in a powerful way recently. On February 23rd 2010 I traveled with a caravan of others; my friends, Pastors, worship leaders, engineers, mechanics, musicians and a group of the children from the Orphanage – this was a group of men and women both young and old who were prepared to be used by God for mighty things in Jesus’ name and to restore Christ’s light to where darkness had spread.

We were headed to the Sierra Leone Province of “Mile 91” for a Christian Crusade. ‘Mile 91’ village was nearly completely saturated by the Islamic faith having over thirty Mosque buildings and only 3 Christian churches. Even with several attempts in the past by different Christian groups, because of the heavy Muslim influence there had never been a successful Christian Crusade.

But God had a change in store for ‘Mile 91’. Light was about to shine and prevail.

The day I arrived we had a large rally until night fell with hundreds of us walking the streets, riding motorcycles and buses, and singing and shouting announcing the Crusade that was taking place on the following three nights.

Over 15 different Churches and one of the largest Christian organizations in Eastern Sierra Leone sent Pastors and people to join us for this Crusade.

I was not only the only white person in the area but I had no idea what to expect, I had never been first hand a part of anything like this before. God was preparing to show me new heights of his power and magnificence.

Upon arriving I could feel the oppression of the spiritual darkness in the air. The Pastors and Leaders were very straightforward and precise; we were invading demonic areas and encroaching on land controlled by darkness. Jesus would be victorious but we must be prepared for a struggle in the process. Multitudes joined in on praying, worshipping and fasting for the next 3 days while God worked wonders in this village.

Each night nearly 4,000 Africans gathered from all over, some came out of curiosity, some for healing, some in support and some in protest. But all that came heard Jesus Christ proclaimed and worshipped.

Each time we gathered together we worshipped, danced and sang out praises to Jesus Christ for hours, read over the microphone a passage of scripture and then the designated Pastor preached to the people. Followed by sharing the gospel and then watching thousands each night come forward to accept Jesus and surrender their lives to Him. The night was ended in an intense time of prayer over the sick, the lame, the blind, and the lost.

What was said and what was done did not bring the miracles I’m about to tell you, Jesus Christ being alive and active in Mile 91 and listening to the cry of help and healing from his people brought about the wonders that took place.

During the prayer time mighty things happened. Cripples walked, blind received sight, demons were driven out of people, and many other healings took place.

Ya Aminata Kargbo, who had been unable to walk for ten years, threw away her wheel chair after Jesus healed her. Rugiatu Bangura who had been blind for two decades received sight and Fatmatas tumor on her side disappeared while being prayed for. Over 100 people were delivered from witchcraft and demons during the Crusade.

God is a God of miracles, and He chose to display his power in such a way last week.
Above all the wonders and miracles; the heavens rejoiced at the over 8,000 that came forward and surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ.

You must understand, in this community taking Jesus as Savior does not mean merely giving up drugs, stopping cussing, or going to church. These people are risking persecution, rejection, and death threats when they bear the name of Christ.

I’ve experienced in a new way the reality that nothing is impossible with God. Please set aside your pre-conceptions of how you think Jesus works, forget your denominational background for a moment, or maybe your past experiences of false representations of Christ at work in our lives and let me tell you plain and simple what I saw happen in a village dominated by Islam in the poorest country in Africa.

There were hundreds of desperate needs and lost souls with no physical or human way of helping them, Jesus was called on and His name was exalted and healing and salvation took place, and in response Jesus was worshipped and glorified by all.

Men and women of ‘Mile 91’ that were crippled or sick are now walking and leaping on the streets testifying to Christ’s healing and salvation.

This battle was won, but the war we are facing in this world against the forces of darkness is not over yet. Please join me in praying for the people of ‘Mile 91’ pray for the faith and perseverance and physical safety of the new Christ-followers, pray for the pastors who are now responsible for discipling and training the thousands of converts, and pray that no matter what comes the gospel will be spread, darkness will continue to decrease and Jesus will get all the glory.

To the Mighty name of Jesus Christ be all glory, honor and praise forever and ever.

( (((Due to extremely slow internet and limited access, pictures will be posted later!)))